Sgt. Grit Community

War
by David McArthur

People say that we don't need it.
They say that there are other ways that we can solve conflicts in the world.
Freedom isn't free.
Freedom can not come without sacrifice.
Freedom can not come without putting an end to the source of the problem.
As long as there is fear in the world or anything that would cause someone to not have freedom of speech, religion, democracy, or any other freedom, then there has to be sacrifice!
I will give my life against anyone who opposes the thought of taking those freedoms from any man, woman or child.
War should not be used to murder.
War is not murder.
War is a tool used to solve world problems or conflicts.
The times of conquering the world are in the past.
War will not be used in that way, only to solve.
People say that now there is the fear of the nuclear power of countries.
There should be no need for nuclear.
There should be peace.
No peace without sacrifice!
Treaties get broken.
Promises don't get kept.
Deals get worked around.
There is only one way to solve the problem of no peace.
Humans shouldn't live in fear.
Humans should not be enslaved.
Humans should be free!
War is the way!
Inflict the fear of your country into every intolerant around the world.
Let them know that if they plan on ruling by fear and murder, that they are greatly mistaken!
I myself will do everything in my power to make sure that every single place the Marine Corps. takes me is free and without fear!
If my blood shall be shed in order for that to happen, I hope they take every last drop!
Freedom is not Free!
There is no Peace without Sacrifice! read more

A Warrior’s Return
By: Anonymous

No Fences Which Contain this Weathered Word Man,
Broken, The Chains lays Before me, Buried Beneath
the Talcum Powdered sand.

Gone, Now are these Dreams Dreamt, Though I still
Awake in Cold Sweats, In My Home.

WHO ELSE FEELS THIS WAY???

I know I’m not alone, My boots now Track in mud
from the City Streets, and My body is Wiped clean,
Clear of a land that is Forsaken In the Eyes of
the Lord. read more

I had a woman on one of my MOM boards ask for a Welcome Home poem from a Marine Mom to Marine… I became inspired as I never EVER again want another military member to come back and not feel WELCOMED HOME… I always tell every VET I meet, Welcome Home and give them a huge hug… ya know… Marines are required to give Marine Moms hugs, and once a Marine / Marine Mom always a Marine / Marine Mom… my son is with the 3/5 and will be home within the month… and I wanted to share this with you… if you feel its good enough to share with the world, you have my permission to use it on your site.

Welcome Home
By: Marge Reich

Welcome Home, my Hero, my boy, my Son
You’ve been through a lot, of this I’m assured.
For both of us it’s been a very long time
The good of what you’ve done yet to be heard.

I watched you as you gathered
the things you would need
Seeing your excitement,
innocence glowing in your eyes
Not wanting you to do this,
not wanting you to grow up
I sat in your room, biting my lip,
saying our goodbyes read more

What Did We Do To Deserve This?
submitted by MGySgt Ralph Hoffman (Retired)

Below the Manchurian boarder, Korea is the spot
We are doomed to spend our lives in a place God forgot
Through the paddies with our weapons, digging foxholes with a pick
Doing the work of a gosh darn Mule, to damm tried to kick
We sweat, we swear, we freeze, it is more than we can stand
We are really not convicts, we are defenders of our land
We are the troops of The Corps, earning our measly pay
Guarding our Country’s millions, for a lousy $ 4 a day
Living with our memories, wanting to see our best girl
Hoping to see her, before she marries our best pal
Nobody knows we are living, nobody gives a damm
Back home we are soon forgotten, as the nephews of Uncle Sam
When we climb that final mountain, right up to that Golden Bell,
St. Peter will say, “Welcome MARINES you served your time in hell!” read more

What Do You Say
GSW

What do you say to a combat vet
When it comes to Memorial Day?
Have a ……happy?…a safe?…a sad?…a memorable?
None of those words can convey…

The emotions inside them….held in check, with the
memories and faces of brothers that gave all.
A human being…not a name that?s written upon a wall.
a life…..not a word that?s spoken at honor roll call. read more

What I Am
by Donnie Marler

Tempered by the fire of battle,
Tested by fear and doubt,
Held up by my God and my brothers.

I have suffered,
I have hurt,
I have bled,
I have lived,

And I have died.

I have wept for fallen brothers,
I have prayed for my family at home,
I have hoped,
And I have loved. read more

Dear Sgt. Grit,

Recently my mother in law was cleaning out some drawers and came across some of my father in laws things. (My father in law has been dead many years now). In it was a laminated code of honor, an old chauffeurs license and this poem my husband had sent him from Viet Nam. It came from a military news paper they had when he was over there. I want to share it with you. read more

Where Are You Son
Kelly Cox

The days are long sense you left home.
We know you are serving your country and
Making us proud but we can?t help but wonder,
Where Are You Son.

You?ve moved here and you?ve
Moved there so we wonder,
Where Are You Son.

We knew when you joined the Corp
That you would travel, but still we wonder,
Where Are you Son. read more

A Moment in Time (Red Patch Bn.)
by Jeremy Howell

3rd Shore party Bn. A Co.
In the end, I found myself at the “Wall”
there for all the world to see,
asking myself, “why them and not me?”
The many names reminded me of how life was at hand,
to die in a foreign land,
Where life was given, and suddenly taken away,
for freedom has a terrible price,
for the spirit and the flesh,
where lives were thrown away,
like the throw of the dice,
Where the true hero in measured,
didn’t come home at all,
So here I am, standing before the “Wall,”
listening to their voices crying out,
OH America! have you forgotten?
For whom prays for peace more,
than the one who fights the war,
As I stood there with tears on my face,
a lump in my throat,
I could only remember what one great general said,
“Old Soldiers never die, they just fade away.” read more

To Sgt Grit and staff,

Thank you for all that you do in sending the newsletter out. It is an opportunity for me to keep my pride, patriotism and patience with these ignorant jerks that we have served for (not all, but wow there are a lot!).

I wrote this poem on my deployment to the Mediterranean Sea in 19992000. I hope you enjoy! read more